Antarctica
From Geology to Human History
Explore the continent of Antarctica and more than 500 million years of geological history and 250 years of geographical discovery and scientific endeavour.
In this course, you will learn through lectures filmed on location on Ross Island and in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica.
Cliff, an Antarctic veteran, with 12 seasons on the ice, will introduce you to some of our planet’s most remarkable landscapes—the Dry Valleys, the Transantarctic Mountains and the world’s southernmost volcanic island. At a remote field camp, he interviews fellow geologists studying fossil-rich sediments—from a time when Antarctica was 20°C warmer than today—to see what Antarctica’s past climate can reveal about what the future might hold.
Rebecca, a science historian and writer who has written extensively about Antarctica, visits Captain Robert Scott’s huts on Ross Island and interviews conservators from the Antarctic Heritage Trust and scientists and logistics staff working at Scott Base and McMurdo Station. You’ll learn about the explorers and scientists from around the world who have been drawn to work and sometimes risk their lives here—from James Cook’s first venture below the Antarctic Circle, to the British scientists who discovered the ozone hole, to the first women to work on the ice.
What you'll learn
- Knowledge of the chronology of Antarctic geology and human activities.
- The locations and significance of key geographic features of Ross Island and the Antarctic continent.
- How research is undertaken in Antarctica, both today and at key points in history.
- The role of Antarctic paleoclimate research in understanding present and future climate change including the impact on the Antarctic ice sheet volume and global sea levels.
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| Rating | 4.6★ based on 6 ratings |
|---|---|
| Length | 5 weeks |
| Effort | 5 weeks, 2–5 hours per week |
| Starts | On Demand (Start anytime) |
| Cost | $49 |
| From | Victoria University of Wellington, VictoriaX, WellingtonX via edX |
| Instructors | Dr. Rebecca Priestley, Dr. Cliff Atkins, Rebecca Priestley, Cliff Atkins |
| Download Videos | On all desktop and mobile devices |
| Language | English |
| Subjects | Science Humanities Social Sciences |
| Tags | Science History Environmental Studies |
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What people are saying
little silliness they added
I especially loved the little silliness they added at the end of their week updates to make it more enjoyable, while still really teaching information and discussing/explaining more about the subjects or questions that students discussed/asked.
sometimes cheesy videos filmed
The standout feature is the informative and sometimes cheesy videos filmed on location in Antarctica with a healthy dose of Antarctic history and geology with a smattering of current affairs, this course is an amazing experience.
amazing continent .. thank-you
Loved doing this course after being down in Antarctica, This course just made it more real for me, and have learnt the finer details of this amazing continent .. Thank-you It's a good and fun course, I also wish it had been longer.
questions that students discussed/asked
still really teaching information
filmed on location
their week updates
subjects or questions
added at
current affairs
different aspects
I learned a lot about the different aspects of Antarctica.
especially loved
Careers
An overview of related careers and their average salaries in the US. Bars indicate income percentile.
Central Long Island - Relationship Banker - Plainview Financial Center $27k
Math Tutor at Long Island University $45k
Adult Learning Center Intake Advisor, Lower Manhattan and Staten Island $49k
Program Support Worker (Grand Island area) $49k
Senior Retail Sales Representative, Ross Products Division $66k
Chair of Pathology  Staten Island University Hospital $75k
Account Executive (NYC & Long Island) $89k
Assistant Marion Dean Ross Professor of Architectural History $90k
Vice Assistant President Long Island Counsel $95k
Sales and Logistics - Ross Products Division Manager $106k
SUPERINTENDENT - STATEN ISLAND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES $144k
Long Island Counsel $157k
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| Rating | 4.6★ based on 6 ratings |
|---|---|
| Length | 5 weeks |
| Effort | 5 weeks, 2–5 hours per week |
| Starts | On Demand (Start anytime) |
| Cost | $49 |
| From | Victoria University of Wellington, VictoriaX, WellingtonX via edX |
| Instructors | Dr. Rebecca Priestley, Dr. Cliff Atkins, Rebecca Priestley, Cliff Atkins |
| Download Videos | On all desktop and mobile devices |
| Language | English |
| Subjects | Science Humanities Social Sciences |
| Tags | Science History Environmental Studies |
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